Liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronic equipment

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronic equipment having an equipment cabinet made of a plastic material in which a liquid crystal display device is accommodated, the equipment cabinet formed with a viewing window so as to be faced with a display screen of the liquid crystal display device, comprises a reinforcing frame made of a material having a mechanical strength higher than that of the plastic material used for the equipment cabinet, and having a frame shape matched to a periphery of the viewing window, the reinforcing frame being integrally fixed to the equipment cabinet so as to be matched to the periphery of the viewing window, and a display screen protection cover which covers the viewing window and is mounted to the reinforcing frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/933,331, filed Sep. 3,2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,271,861 which is hereby expressly incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display deviceprotection structure for electronic equipment, and specifically, to aprotection structure for preventing the damage to the liquid crystaldisplay device, which can be applied to electronic equipment including aliquid crystal display device accommodated in the inside of an equipmentcabinet made of a plastic material, a viewing window which is faced withthe display screen of the liquid crystal display device and is formed inthe equipment cabinet, and a display screen protection cover whichcovers the viewing window.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a mobile phone, which is a type of electronic equipment, a liquidcrystal display device for informing a variety of information to theuser by means of characters and images is mounted. In a foldable mobilephone A as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, a liquid crystal display deviceE is accommodated in the inside of an upper cabinet D which is connectedto a lower cabinet B having a variety of controllers by means of a hingeC.

The liquid crystal display device E together with a backlight device Gis mounted, through a holder H, on a circuit board F disposed in theupper cabinet D that comprises an upper inner casing Da and an upperouter casing Db. In the upper inner casing Da, a viewing window Do whichis faced with the display screen of the liquid crystal display device Eis formed. In the viewing window Do, a display screen protection cover Imade of a light transmitting material is mounted.

In general electronic equipment, the equipment cabinet is made of aplastic material for the purposes of reduction in weight, etc. With themobile phone A described above in which a large viewing window Do isformed in the upper inner casing Da, the upper inner casing Da is likelyto be deflected or deformed relatively easily when the display screenprotection cover I is heavily depressed from the outside, which maycause the display screen protection cover I to be brought into contactwith the liquid crystal display device E, resulting in that damages suchas cracks are created in the display device E.

Possible solutions to such a problem are to increase the wall thicknessof the upper cabinet D including that of the upper inner casing Dathereby enhancing the strength, or to increase the clearance between thedisplay screen Ef of the liquid crystal display device E and the displayscreen protection cover I. However, these solutions inevitably causeanother problem of an undesired increase in the size of the mobile phoneA.

On the other hand, a solution which increases the mechanical strength ofthe equipment cabinet has been proposed in which the equipment cabinetmade of a plastic material is integrally molded with the reinforcingmember made of a metallic material.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21, an upper inner casing Da′accommodates, together with an upper outer casing Db′, a liquid crystaldisplay device E′ which is loaded on a circuit board F′ through a holderH′. A display screen protection cover I′ is mounted in a viewing windowDo′ of the upper inner casing Da′ and a pair of hinges C′ are providedat the base side end of the upper inner casing Da′. Further, the upperinner casing Da′ is integrally molded with a reinforcing member J asshown in FIG. 22 in the injection molding.

The reinforcing member J has a top plate Ja in which an opening Jo isformed corresponding to the viewing window Do′ in the upper inner casingDa′. A pair of side plates Jb are erected from the right and left edgesof the top plate Ja, and a pair of bearing members Jc which have acylindrical shape are formed at the base side end of the top plate Ja.

According to this configuration, the mechanical strength of the upperinner casing Da′ is greatly improved because it is integrally formedwith the reinforcing member J. With this configuration, even if thedisplay screen protection cover I′ is heavily pressed from the outside,the upper inner casing Da′ will not be easily deflected or deformed.Thus, damage to the liquid crystal display device E′ due to the contactwith the display screen protection cover I′ can be prevented.

However, with the configuration as described above, although themechanical strength of the upper inner casing Da′ is improved, thereinforcing member J occupies a significantly large portion of theinside of the upper inner casing Da′ as shown in FIG. 23. Therefore, thesize of the outline shape is inevitably increased.

Further, with the configuration as described above, the top plate Ja,the right and left side plates Jb, and the pair of bearing members Jcare provided, thus the reinforcing member J is integrally insert moldedwith the upper inner casing Da′ over the entire area of the upper innercasing Da′, which results in an increase in the rigidity of the upperinner casing Da′ as a whole, which leads to an increase in the rigidityof the upper cabinet including the upper inner casing Da′.

Therefore, even if the display screen protection cover I′ is heavilypressed from the outside, damage to the liquid crystal display device E′can be prevented. However, because the upper cabinet has a high rigidityand lacks the flexibility as stated above, when the upper cabinet issubjected to a great impact force due to such a cause as dropping, theimpact force is neither absorbed nor attenuated by the upper cabinet,but directly acts on the liquid crystal display device E′. As a result,the liquid crystal display device E′, which comprises a glass substrate,and the plastic material portion itself of the equipment cabinet may becracked or otherwise damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentionedproblems, and may provide a liquid crystal display device protectionstructure for electronic equipment that allows the outline size to beminimized while preventing damage to the liquid crystal display device.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a liquid crystal displaydevice protection structure for electronic equipment having an equipmentcabinet made of a plastic material in which a liquid crystal displaydevice is accommodated, the equipment cabinet formed with a viewingwindow so as to be faced with a display screen of the liquid crystaldisplay device, comprises a display screen protection cover which coversthe viewing window; and a reinforcing frame made of a material having amechanical strength higher than that of the plastic material used forthe equipment cabinet, and having a frame shape matched to a peripheryof the viewing window, the reinforcing frame being integrally fixed tothe equipment cabinet so as to be matched to the periphery of theviewing window, wherein the display screen protection cover is mountedto the reinforcing frame.

With this configuration of the liquid crystal display device protectionstructure for electronic equipment according to the first aspect of theinvention, the rigidity at the periphery of the viewing window isgreatly improved by integrally fixing the reinforcing frame having aframe shape to the equipment cabinet, and thus, even when the displayscreen protection cover is pressed from the outside, the equipment willnot be easily deflected or deformed at the periphery of the viewingwindow of the equipment cabinet, which allows damage to the liquidcrystal display device to be prevented without increasing the outlinesize by increasing the wall thickness of the equipment cabinet orotherwise changing the configuration.

In addition, the liquid crystal display device protection structure forelectronic equipment according to the first aspect of the invention, theflexibility of the plastic material used for the equipment cabinet isretained in the areas other than the periphery of the viewing window inthe equipment cabinet, where the rigidity is greatly improved by fixingthe reinforcing frame having a frame shape. Therefore, even when theequipment cabinet is dropped, for example, and subjected to a greatimpact force, the impact force will be attenuated by the flexibility ofthe equipment cabinet made of a plastic material, and thus will notdirectly act on the liquid crystal display device, which allowspreventing of damage to the liquid crystal display device.

Thus, with the liquid crystal display device protection structure forelectronic equipment according to the first aspect of the presentinvention, the outline size can be minimized while damage to the liquidcrystal display device can be prevented, even when the display screenprotection cover is pressed from the outside, or when the equipmentcabinet is dropped, for example, and subjected to an impact force.

A liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to a second aspect of the present invention providesa liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to the first aspect of the present invention,wherein the reinforcing frame has a box-like shape, and comprises afront plate that is developed so as to be matched to the display screenof the liquid crystal display device, and has an opening for exposingthe display screen; and side plates that are developed from an outeredge of the front plate to a direction along thickness of the frontplate so as to surround an entire periphery of the liquid crystaldisplay device.

With this configuration of the liquid crystal display device protectionstructure for electronic equipment according to the second aspect of thepresent invention, the outline size can be minimized while damage to theliquid crystal display device can be prevented, as with the liquidcrystal display device protection structure for electronic equipmentrelating to the invention as set forth in claim 1, and because thereinforcing frame is adapted to provide a box-like shape with the frontplate and the side plates, the rigidity of the reinforcing frame itselfis improved, with the rigidity at the periphery of the viewing window inthe equipment cabinet where the reinforcing frame is integrally fixedbeing greatly improved; therefore the effect of prevention of the liquidcrystal display device from being damaged when the display screenprotection cover is pressed from the outside is substantially enhanced.

A liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to a third aspect of the present invention providesa liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to the second aspect of the present invention,wherein the reinforcing frame has four corners each of which is formedby the front plate and the side plates which are adjacent to each other,and the front plate and the side plates which are adjacent to each otherare connected to one another.

With this configuration of the liquid crystal display device protectionstructure for electronic equipment according to the third aspect of thepresent invention, the front plate and the side plates adjacent to eachother which form each of the four corners are connected to one another,which results in the rigidity of the reinforcing frame itself beingsubstantially improved, with the rigidity at the periphery of theviewing window in the equipment cabinet where the reinforcing frame isintegrally fixed being greatly improved; therefore the effect ofprevention of the liquid crystal display device from being damaged whenthe display screen protection cover is pressed from the outside issubstantially enhanced.

A liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, aliquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to the first aspect of the present invention,wherein the reinforcing frame is integrally fixed to the equipmentcabinet by insert molding of the reinforcing frame to the equipmentcabinet.

With this configuration of the liquid crystal display device protectionstructure for electronic equipment according to the fourth aspect of thepresent invention, the reinforcing frame is integrally fixed to theequipment cabinet by insert molding; therefore, the reinforcing framecan be extremely easily fixed to the equipment cabinet.

A liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to a fifth aspect of the present invention providesa liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to the first aspect of the present invention,wherein, by hooking the reinforcing frame to claws provided for theequipment cabinet, the reinforcing frame is integrally fixed to theequipment cabinet.

With the liquid crystal display device protection structure forelectronic equipment according to the fifth aspect of the presentinvention, the reinforcing frame is integrally fixed to the equipmentcabinet by hooking the reinforcing frame to claws provided for theequipment cabinet; therefore, the reinforcing frame can be extremelyeasily fixed to the equipment cabinet.

A liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to a sixth aspect of the present invention providesa liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to the first aspect of the present invention,wherein, by welding the reinforcing frame to the equipment cabinet, thereinforcing frame is integrally fixed to the equipment cabinet.

With this configuration of the liquid crystal display device protectionstructure for electronic equipment according to the sixth aspect of thepresent invention, the reinforcing frame is integrally fixed to theequipment cabinet by welding; therefore, the reinforcing frame can beextremely easily fixed to the equipment cabinet.

A liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to a seventh aspect of the present inventionprovides a liquid crystal display device protection structure forelectronic equipment according to the first aspect of the presentinvention, wherein, by using screws for fixing the reinforcing frame tothe equipment cabinet, the reinforcing frame is integrally fixed to theequipment cabinet.

With this configuration of the liquid crystal display device protectionstructure for electronic equipment according to the seventh aspect ofthe present invention, the reinforcing frame is integrally fixed to theequipment cabinet by using screws; therefore, the reinforcing frame canbe extremely easily fixed to the equipment cabinet.

A liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment according to an eighth aspect of the present inventionprovides a liquid crystal display device protection structure forelectronic equipment according to the first aspect of the presentinvention, wherein, by hooking hooks provided for the reinforcing frameto the equipment cabinet, the reinforcing frame is integrally fixed tothe equipment cabinet.

With this configuration of the liquid crystal display device protectionstructure for electronic equipment according to the eighth aspect of thepresent invention, the reinforcing frame is integrally fixed to theequipment cabinet by hooking hooks provided for the reinforcing frame tothe equipment cabinet; therefore, the reinforcing frame can be extremelyeasily fixed to the equipment cabinet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail basedon the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an appearance perspective view showing a first embodiment ofelectronic equipment which adopts a liquid crystal display deviceprotection structure relating to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross section showing the electronic equipment ofthe first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a main portion enlarged sectional view showing the electronicequipment of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an upper inner casingassembly in the electronic equipment of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an appearance perspective view showing a reinforcing frame inthe electronic equipment of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the electronic equipmentof the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a transverse cross section showing a second embodiment ofelectronic equipment which adopts a liquid crystal display deviceprotection structure relating to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a main portion enlarged sectional view showing electronicequipment of the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section showing electronic equipment of thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing an upper inner casingassembly in electronic equipment of the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an appearance perspective view showing a reinforcing frame inelectronic equipment of the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing electronic equipment ofthe second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a transverse cross section showing a third embodiment ofelectronic equipment which adopts a liquid crystal display deviceprotection structure relating to the present invention;

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are main portion enlarged sectional views showingelectronic equipment of the third embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal section showing electronic equipment of thethird embodiment;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing an upper inner casingassembly in electronic equipment of the third embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an appearance perspective view showing a reinforcing frame inelectronic equipment of the third embodiment;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing electronic equipment ofthe third embodiment;

FIG. 19 is an appearance perspective view showing an example ofconventional electronic equipment;

FIG. 20 is a schematic transverse cross section showing the conventionalelectronic equipment as shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view showing another conventionalelectronic equipment;

FIG. 22 is an appearance perspective view showing a reinforcing memberin the conventional electronic equipment as shown in FIG. 21; and

FIG. 23 is a schematic transverse cross section showing the conventionalelectronic equipment as shown in FIG. 21;

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 6 show a first embodiment where a liquid crystaldisplay device protection structure relating to the present invention isapplied to a foldable mobile phone, which is a type of electronicequipment. This mobile phone 1 comprises a lower cabinet 2 provided witha variety of controllers, and an upper cabinet 3 accommodating a liquidcrystal display device 7 later described. The lower cabinet 2 and theupper cabinet 3 are connected to each other through a hinge 4 such thatthe foldable mobile phone can be freely opened and closed.

The upper cabinet 3, which constitutes the equipment cabinet togetherwith the lower cabinet 2, comprises an upper inner casing 3I and anupper outer casing 3O which are assembled to each other, and the upperinner casing 3I and the upper outer casing 3O are both manufactured in adesired shape by injection molding of plastic material.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a circuit board 5 is accommodated in theinside of the upper cabinet 3, and on the component mounting surface ofthe circuit board 5, a backlight device 6 and a liquid crystal displaydevice 7 constituting a liquid crystal display unit are mounted in aprescribed location through a holder 8.

In the upper inner casing 3I in the upper cabinet 3 is formed a viewingwindow 3 o which is faced with the display screen 7 f of the liquidcrystal display device 7. To the front of the inner casing 3I is mounteda display screen protection cover 9 made of a light transmittingmaterial, such as a clear acrylic plastic material, with the use of adouble-sided adhesive tape (not shown), the viewing window 3 o in theupper inner casing 3I being covered with the display screen protectioncover 9.

Further, in the upper inner casing 3I of the upper cabinet 3, areinforcing frame 100 having a frame shape which is matched to theperiphery of the viewing window 3 o is integrally fixed to the upperinner casing 3I. The reinforcing frame 100 is formed by press working(drawing operation) of a material with a mechanical strength higher thanthat of the plastic material used for the upper inner casing 3I and thelike. Specifically, the reinforcing frame 100 may be formed of astainless steel sheet.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the reinforcing frame 100 has a frontplate 101 which is developed so as to be matched to the display screen 7f of the liquid crystal display device 7. The reinforcing frame 100further has side plates 102 on all the sides that surround the liquidcrystal display device 7. The side plates 102 are developed from theouter edge of the front plate 101 in the direction along the platethickness, specifically, towards the inside of the upper inner casing3I, and are formed over the entire periphery of the front plate 101.

In the front plate 101 of the reinforcing frame 100, an opening 101 ofor exposing the display screen 7 f of the liquid crystal display device7 is formed. At the edges of the side plates 102 on all the sides, a rib102 r is formed over the entire periphery.

As stated above, the reinforcing frame 100 comprising the front plate101 having the opening 101 o and the side plates 102 on all the sidesthereof has a frame shape which is matched to the periphery of theviewing window 3 o, and also has a box-like shape having four cornerseach of which is formed by the front plate 101 and the adjacent sideplates 102.

Further, the reinforcing frame 100 is integrally fixed to the upperinner casing 3I by insert molding when the upper inner casing 3I isinjection molded.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, the front plate 101 of the reinforcingframe 100 which is fixed to the upper inner casing 3I is exposed in theviewing window 3 o in the upper inner casing 3I. To the front plate 101(the reinforcing frame 100), the display screen protection cover 9 ismounted by using the double-sided adhesive tape T as shown in FIG. 2 andFIG. 3.

With the mobile phone 1 which adopts the liquid crystal display deviceprotection structure as stated above, the rigidity at the periphery ofthe viewing window 3 o is greatly improved by integrally fixing thereinforcing frame 100 having a frame shape to the upper inner casing 3I,and thus, even when the display screen protection cover 9 is pressedfrom the outside, the mobile phone 1 will not be easily deflected ordeformed at the periphery of the viewing window 3 o of the upper innercasing 3I.

In addition, the display screen protection cover 9 is mounted to thefront plate 101 of the reinforcing frame 100. Thus, even when thedisplay screen protection cover 9 is pressed from the outside, thereinforcing frame 100, which has a great mechanical strength, positivelysupports the external force, which results in no undesired deformationbeing produced in the upper inner casing 3I.

Therefore, without the need for increasing the wall thickness of theupper cabinet 3 including the upper inner casing 3I to enhance thestrength, or for widening the clearance between the display screen 7 fof the liquid crystal display device 7 and the display screen protectioncover 9, in other words, without any undesired increase in the size ofthe mobile phone 1 being caused, damage to the liquid crystal displaydevice 7 can be prevented.

In addition, with the mobile phone 1 which adopts the liquid crystaldisplay device protection structure as stated above, the flexibility ofthe plastic material used for the upper cabinet 3 is retained in theareas other than the periphery of the viewing window 3 o in the upperinner casing 3I, where the rigidity is greatly improved by fixing thereinforcing frame 100 having a frame shape. Therefore, even when theupper cabinet 3 is dropped, for example, and subjected to a great impactforce, the impact force will be attenuated by the flexibility of theupper cabinet 3 made of a plastic material, and thus will not directlyact on the liquid crystal display device 7. As a result, damage to theliquid crystal display device 7 and the plastic material portion itselfof the equipment cabinet can be prevented.

Further, with the mobile phone 1 which adopts the liquid crystal displaydevice protection structure as stated above, the reinforcing frame 100is adapted to provide a box-like shape with the front plate 101 and withthe side plates 102 on all the sides. Specifically, the reinforcingframe has a box-like shape with four corners, each of which is formed bythe front plate 101 and the adjacent side plates 102, 102. With thisstructure, the rigidity of the reinforcing frame 100 itself is greatlyincreased, which results in the rigidity of the upper inner casing 3Iwhere the reinforcing frame 100 is fixed being substantially improved.Therefore, damage to the liquid crystal display device 7 when thedisplay screen protection cover 9 is pressed from the outside beingextremely effectively prevented.

Referring to FIG. 6, to assemble the mobile phone 1 having aconfiguration as stated above, the display screen protection cover 9 ismounted to the upper inner casing 3I where the reinforcing frame 100 isfixed. Thus, the upper inner casing 3I, the reinforcing frame 100, andthe display screen protection cover 9 are handled as a single component,i.e., a casing assembly. The circuit board 5 loaded with the liquidcrystal display device 7 is mounted to the casing assembly,specifically, the upper inner casing 3I by using screws S, and then theupper outer casing 3O is assembled to the upper inner casing 3I.

With the mobile phone 1 which adopts the liquid crystal display deviceprotection structure as stated above, the assembling operation can beperformed extremely simply by handling the upper inner casing 3I, thereinforcing frame 100, and the display screen protection cover 9 as acasing assembly or a single component, which allows substantial increasein the production efficiency to be achieved.

FIG. 7 to FIG. 12 show a second embodiment where a liquid crystaldisplay device protection structure relating to the present invention isapplied to a mobile phone, which is a type of electronic equipment. Anupper cabinet (equipment cabinet) 13 in the foldable mobile phone 10comprises an upper inner casing 13I and an upper outer casing 13O whichare assembled to each other, and the upper inner casing 13I and theupper outer casing 13O are both manufactured in a desired shape byinjection molding of plastic material.

As shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, a circuit board 15 is accommodated in theinside of the upper cabinet 13, and on the component mounting surface ofthe circuit board 15, a backlight device 16 and a liquid crystal displaydevice 17 constituting a liquid crystal display unit are mounted in aprescribed location through a holder 18.

In the upper inner casing 13I of the upper cabinet 13 is formed aviewing window 13 o which is faced with the display screen 17 f of theliquid crystal display device 17. To the front of the inner casing 13Iis mounted a display screen protection cover 19 made of a lighttransmitting material, such as a clear acrylic plastic material, withthe use of a double-sided adhesive tape T (see FIG. 9). The viewingwindow 13 o in the upper inner casing 13I is covered with the displayscreen protection cover 19.

Further, in the upper inner casing 13I of the upper cabinet 13, areinforcing frame 110 having a frame shape which is matched to theperiphery of the viewing window 13 o is integrally fixed to the upperinner casing 13I, the reinforcing frame 110 being formed by pressworking (drawing forming) of a material with a mechanical strengthhigher than that of the plastic material used for the upper inner casing13I and the like, specifically, of a stainless steel sheet.

As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the reinforcing frame 110 has a frontplate 111 which is developed so as to be matched to the display screen17 f of the liquid crystal display device 17, and also has side plates112 on all the sides that surround the liquid crystal display device 17,being developed from the outer edge of the front plate 111 in thedirection along the plate thickness, specifically, towards the inside ofthe upper inner casing 13I, and being formed over the entire peripheryof the front plate 111.

In the front plate 111 of the reinforcing frame 110, an opening 111 ofor exposing the display screen 17 f of the liquid crystal displaydevice 17 is formed. At the edges of the side plates 112 on all thesides, a rib 112 r is formed over the entire periphery. On each of apair of side plates 112, 112, which are opposed in the longitudinaldirection, two tabs 113 each having a mounting hole 113 o are formed asbeing protruded (thus four tabs are formed in total).

As stated above, the reinforcing frame 110 comprising the front plate111 having the opening 111 o and the side plates 112 on all the sidesprovides a frame shape which is matched to the periphery of the viewingwindow 13 o, and also provides a box-like shape having four corners eachof which is formed by the front plate 111 and the adjacent side plates112, 112.

As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, in the inside of the upperinner casing 13I, four hooking claws 13 t are formed inside the sidewalls which are opposed to each other, and four mounting pins 13 p areformed to be protruded inside the front wall, sandwiching the viewingwindow 13 o. By hooking the ribs 112 r of the reinforcing frame 110 tothe respective hooking claws 13 t, and heating and pressing the head ofthe mounting pin 13 p that is inserted into the mounting hole 113 o inthe respective tabs 113 for upsetting and welding it, the reinforcingframe 110 is integrally fixed in the prescribed location in the upperinner casing 13I.

As shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, and FIG. 12, the front plate 111 of thereinforcing frame 110 which is fixed to the upper inner casing 13I isexposed in the viewing window 13 o in the upper inner casing 13I, and tothe front plate 111 (the reinforcing frame 110), the display screenprotection cover 19 is mounted by using the double-sided adhesive tapeT.

Also with the mobile phone 10 which adopts the liquid crystal displaydevice protection structure as stated above, the outline size can beminimized while damage to the liquid crystal display device 17 can beprevented, in completely the same manner as with the mobile phone 1 inthe first embodiment described above in detail, even when the displayscreen protection cover 19 is pressed from the outside, or when theupper cabinet 13 is dropped, for example, and subjected to a greatimpact force.

When the mobile phone 10 having a configuration as stated above isassembled, the display screen protection cover 19 is mounted to theupper inner casing 13I where the reinforcing frame 110 is fixed as shownin FIG. 10. The upper inner casing 13I, the reinforcing frame 110, andthe display screen protection cover 19 are handled as a singlecomponent, i.e., a casing assembly. The circuit board 15 loaded with theliquid crystal display device 17 is mounted to the casing assembly,specifically, the upper inner casing 13I by using screws S. Then theupper outer casing 13O is assembled to the upper inner casing 13I.Therefore, the assembling operation can be performed extremely simply,and a substantial increase in the production efficiency can be achieved.

FIG. 13 to FIG. 18 show a third embodiment where a liquid crystaldisplay device protection structure relating to the present invention isapplied to a mobile phone, which is a type of electronic equipment. Anupper cabinet (equipment cabinet) 23 in this foldable mobile phone 20comprises an upper inner casing 23I and an upper outer casing 23O whichare assembled to each other. The upper inner casing 23I and the upperouter casing 23O are both manufactured in a desired shape by injectionmolding of plastic material.

As shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 15, a circuit board 25 is accommodated inthe inside of the upper cabinet 23. On the component mounting surface ofthe circuit board 25, a backlight device 26 and a liquid crystal displaydevice 27 constituting a liquid crystal display unit are mounted in aprescribed location through a holder 28.

In the upper inner casing 23I of the upper cabinet 23 is formed aviewing window 23 o which is faced with the display screen 27 f of theliquid crystal display device 27. To the front of the inner casing 23Iis mounted a display screen protection cover 29 made of a lighttransmitting material, such as a clear acrylic plastic material, withthe use of a double-sided adhesive tape T (see FIG. 15). The viewingwindow 23 o in the upper inner casing 23I is covered with the displayscreen protection cover 29.

Further, in the upper inner casing 23I of the upper cabinet 23, areinforcing frame 120 having a frame shape which is matched to theperiphery of the viewing window 23 o is integrally fixed to the upperinner casing 23I. The reinforcing frame 120 is formed by press working(drawing forming) of a material with a mechanical strength higher thanthat of the plastic material used for the upper inner casing 23I and thelike, specifically, of a stainless steel sheet.

As shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the reinforcing frame 120 has a frontplate 121 which is developed so as to be matched to the display screen27 f of the liquid crystal display device 27. The reinforcing frame 120also has side plates 122 on all the sides that surround the liquidcrystal display device 27. The side plates 122 are developed from theouter edge of the front plate 121 in the direction along the platethickness, specifically, towards the inside of the upper inner casing23I, and are formed over the entire periphery of the front plate 121.

In the front plate 121 of the reinforcing frame 120, an opening 121 ofor exposing the display screen 27 f of the liquid crystal displaydevice 27 is formed. At the edges of the side plates 122 on all thesides, a rib 122 r is formed over the entire periphery.

The reinforcing frame 120 comprising the front plate 121 having theopening 121 o and the side plates 122 arranged on all the sides thereofprovides a frame shape which is matched to the periphery of the viewingwindow 23 o. The front plate 121 also provides a box-like shape havingfour corners each of which is formed by the front plate 121 and theadjacent side plates 122, 122.

On one side plate 122 in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcingframe 120, two tabs 123 each having a mounting hole 123 o are formed tobe protruded. On the other side plate 122 in the longitudinal directionof the reinforcing frame 120, two tabs 124 each having a mounting hole124 o and a screw hole 124 h are formed as being protruded. Further, oneach of a pair of side plates 122, 122 which are opposed in thecrosswise direction of the reinforcing frame 120, two hooks 125 areformed to be protruded toward the outside (thus four hooks are formed intotal).

As shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16, in the inside of each of theside walls of the upper inner casing 23I that are opposed to each other,one hooking claw and two hooks are formed (thus two hooking claws andfour hooks are formed in total). Further, in the inside of the frontwalls in the upper inner casing 23I, four mounting pins 23 p are formedto be protruded, sandwiching the viewing window 23 o.

By hooking the ribs 122 r to the respective hooking claws 23 t in theupper inner casing 23I, engaging the hooks 125 with the hooks 23 h inthe upper inner casing 23I, and heating and pressing the heads of themounting pins 23 p that are inserted into the mounting holes 123 o inthe tabs 123 and the mounting holes 124 o in the tabs 124 for upsettingand welding them, the reinforcing frame 120 is integrally fixed in theprescribed location in the upper inner casing 23I.

By engaging the hooks 125 in the reinforcing frame 120 with the hooks 23h in the upper inner casing 23I, the side walls of the upper innercasing 23I are connected to the reinforcing frame 120. Thus, anundesired deformation of the side walls of the upper inner casing 23Ibeing prevented when an external force is applied.

As shown in FIG. 15, the tabs 124 of the reinforcing frame 120 aretightened to both the extension 28 a (see FIG. 15 and FIG. 18) of theholder 28 and the upper inner casing 23I by means of the screws S whichare penetrated through the screw holes 124 h, thereby the portions ofthe upper inner casing 23I and the circuit board 25 that are poor instrength are connected to the reinforcing frame 120 to be effectivelyreinforced.

As shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 15, and FIG. 18, the front plate 121 of thereinforcing frame 120 which is fixed to the upper inner casing 23I isexposed in the viewing window 23 o in the upper inner casing 23I. To thefront plate 121 (the reinforcing frame 120), the display screenprotection cover 29 is mounted by using the double-sided adhesive tapeT.

Also with the mobile phone 20 which adopts the liquid crystal displaydevice protection structure as stated above, the outline size can beminimized while damage to the liquid crystal display device 27 can beprevented in completely the same manner as in the first embodiment andthe second embodiment described above, when a great impact force isapplied such as when the display screen protection cover 29 is pressedfrom the outside, or when the upper cabinet 23 is dropped.

When the mobile phone 20 having a configuration as stated above isassembled, the display screen protection cover 29 is mounted to theupper inner casing 23I where the reinforcing frame 120 is fixed as shownin FIG. 18. The upper inner casing 23I, the reinforcing frame 120, andthe display screen protection cover 29 are handled as a singlecomponent, i.e., a casing assembly. The circuit board 25 loaded with theliquid crystal display device 27 is mounted to the casing assembly,specifically, the upper inner casing 23I by using screws S, and then theupper outer casing 23O is assembled to the upper inner casing 23I.Therefore, the assembling operation can be performed extremely simply,and a substantial increase in the production efficiency can be achieved.

In each of the embodiments described above, the reinforcing frame isformed by drawing forming a stainless steel sheet. Alternatively,appropriate metallic materials other than stainless steel may be usedfor formation of the reinforcing frame, if it has a mechanical strengthhigher than that of the plastic material used for the upper inner casingand the like. Also, appropriate methods of forming other than drawingmay be used for formation of the reinforcing frame.

However, although an appropriate material other than metallic materialsmay be used for formation of the reinforcing frame if it has amechanical strength higher than that of the plastic material, using themetallic materials is, of course, the most advantageous from theviewpoint of workability and cost.

Further, by grounding the reinforcing frame made of a metallic material,and configured such that it surrounds the liquid crystal display device,the liquid crystal display device can be prevented from being brokendown due to the static electricity applied from the outside. Further,such reinforcing frame may be used as an antenna.

In each of the embodiments described above, insert molding, welding, orusing hooking claws and screws are mentioned as the configuration forintegrally fixing the reinforcing frame to the upper inner casing.However, the reinforcing frame can, of course, be fixed to the upperinner casing by using a double-sided adhesive tape, an adhesive, or anyother appropriate means which are not mentioned in the embodiments.

Also as means for mounting the display screen protection cover to thereinforcing frame and the upper inner casing, an adhesive, screws, orany appropriate means other than the double-sided tape that is mentionedin the embodiments, may be adopted.

Further, in the embodiments described above, the present invention isapplied to a mobile phone, which is a type of electronic equipment.However, the present invention can also be applied, as an extremelyeffective liquid crystal display protection structure, to communicationequipment such as a portable telephone and a PHS (personal handyphonesystem), portable information terminals such as an electronic dictionaryand a PDA (personal data assistance), and other various types ofelectronic equipment having a liquid crystal display device.

1. A liquid crystal display device protection structure for electronicequipment having an equipment cabinet made of a plastic material inwhich a liquid crystal display device is accommodated, the equipmentcabinet formed with a viewing window for facing a display screen of theliquid crystal display device, the structure comprising: a reinforcingframe made of a material having a mechanical strength greater than thatof the plastic material used for the equipment cabinet, and having aframe shape which matches a periphery of the viewing window, thereinforcing frame being integrally fixed to the equipment cabinet tomatch the periphery of the viewing window; and a display screenprotection cover mounted directly to the reinforcing frame and coveringthe viewing window.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the reinforcingframe has a box-like shape, and comprises: a front plate which matchesthe display screen of the liquid crystal display device, and has anopening for exposing the display screen; and side plates which extendfrom an outer edge of the front plate to a direction along a thicknessof the front plate to surround an entire periphery of the liquid crystaldisplay device.
 3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the reinforcingframe has four corners, each corner being formed by the front plate andthe side plates which are adjacent and connected to each other.
 4. Thestructure of claim 1, wherein the equipment cabinet includes a mountingpin and the reinforcing frame includes a mounting hole, and wherein thereinforcing frame is integrally fixed to the equipment cabinet byheating and pressing a head of the mounting pin into the mounting hole.5. The structure of claim 4, wherein the mounting pin includes aprotruding portion that is inserted into the mounting hole, and whereinthe reinforcing frame is integrally fixed to the equipment cabinet byheating and pressing the protruding portion inserted into the mountinghole.